Biology-Introduction to the World of CellsSyllabus
Teacher: Mr. Lincoln Robinson
Office: Mt. Blue High school - Floor 3
Office Phone: 207-240-6267
Office Hours: T-W-TH 8:00a-2:30p E-mail:lincoln.robinson@maine.edu
Summary of Unit
This unit is designed to provide a basic understanding of cellular function and interaction to form systems. Students will understand that the hierarchy structure of organisms is dependent on interactions at the cellular level. Students will know the intracellular components of the cell and what their functions are. Students will know key processes such as; Translation, Transcription, Mitosis, Meiosis, Cell Cycle and Cell Theory. The details of prokaryotic vs. eukaryotic, and plant vs. animal cells will be studied to understand the similarities and differences different types of cells posses. Important ideas of mutations and malfunctioning will be covered to learn how the human body contains harmful cells. To assess this material, students will perform a performance task that requires them to create a medical "game-plan" that describes ways in which cells malfunction and put an organism at risk, and how they plan to control the malfunctioning cells. They will research how cellular functions control the outbreak of mutating cells in the human body, and what effects malfunctioning cells have on organisms.
Establish Goals:(G)
Maine Learning Results: Science and Technology - E. The Living Environment.
E3. Cells
Grade 9-Diploma Cells
Students describe structure and function of cells at the intracellular and molecular level including differentiation to form systems, interactions between cells and their environment, and the impact of cellular processes and changes on individuals.
d. Describe ways in which cells can malfunction and put an organism at risk.
What understandings are desired?
Students will understand that:(U)
•the hierarchy structure of organisms is dependent on functions that begin at the cellular level.
•intracellular functions are similar between different organisms.
•individual cells have a specific responsibility, and how malfunctioning cells are controlled.
What essential questions will be considered?
Essential Questions:(Q)
•How are cells responsible for the structure and functioning of organism systems?
•What are the components of a cell, and what function do they perform?
•How are cells generated or replaced as needed for functioning at both the cellular and system levels?
What key knowledge and skills will students acquire as a result of this unit?
Students will know:(K)
Students will be able to do:(S)
•Terminology: Ribosome, nucleus, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, rough ER, golgi apparatus, mitochondria, cytoplasm, apoptosis, cilia, flagella, lysosomes.
•Key Factual Information: Translation, transcription, cell cycle, cell theory, mitosis, meiosis.
•Critical Details: Prokaryotic vs. eukaryotic. Positive and negative effects of cell mutation. Plant cells vs. animal cells.
•Describe ways in which cells can malfunction and put an organism at risk.
•Make meaning of the hierarchy structure of organisms and how it depends on functioning, beginning at the cellular level.
•Create a project that includes intracellular components, their functions, and how these functions are similar between organisms.
•Analyze the different types of cells.
•Assume the role of the teacher and explain one specific aspect of cellular interaction.
•Realize that cells are the basic units for life.
Performance Task (Summary in G.R.A.S.P.S. form): (T)
Goal:The task is to create a medical game plan appropriate for your patient which details the causes of mutating cells, and how they are controlled.
Role:You're an Oncologist, a doctor who is specialized in the study of tumors and cancer.
Audience:You will be presenting your information to the patient, family members, and medical colleagues present.
Situation:You are presently working at the local hospital in town, a place you have been employed for almost ten years.
Product/Presentation: You will create a power point project that describes your medical game plan to defend against mutating cells.
Standards (criteria from both rubrics):Content, Organization, Preparation, Enthusiasm, Style, Originality, Requirements, Speaks clearly, Time limit.
Other Evidence (quizzes, test, prompts, observations, dialogues, work sample, etc.):
Other Evidence (OE)
•Quizzes - One quiz will be given each week to make sure students are understanding the important ideas presented in class. The lowest quiz score will be dropped at the end of the unit.
•Lab Notebook - Students will be required to keep a separate notebook for lab work. Students will turn in this notebook at the end of every week to be graded, and will be given the opportunity to make corrections. At the end of the unit students will receive a final grade for the lab notebook they collaborated.
•Final Exam - A cumulative exam will be given at the end of the unit. This exam will test students on the key ideas of cell theory, cell creation, and cellular interaction to form systems. A review session will be provided to students before this exam.
Student Self-Assessment and Reflection
Self-Assessment (SA)
•Blog - Each student will be required to submit a blog entry to the class blog account each week. Blog entry's must contain at least two links to other resources that can be used during class discussions of course material.
•Pre and Post survey - A test will be given before the start of the unit to get an idea of the knowledge students are bringing with them from previous courses. This test will not be graded, it will provide the teacher with areas to focus on during the unit. At the completion of the unit, the exact test will be given again to see how much of the targeted content was understood by students. The post test will receive no grade, it will be used for teaching purposes only.
•KWL Chart - Students will be required to complete a "KWL" chart each week. At the start of the week students will state what they think know, and what they want to learn about cells. After the week of classes students will describe what they learned about cells. This will not be graded but used as a self-assessment tool for students.
Expectations
Participation is a critical component of learning and you are expected to arrive to class on time and attend all classes. If an emergency arises, please notify me by phone or e-mail prior to the class. If classes get canceled due to weather, they will be rescheduled that same week and the date/location will be posted on blackboard.
Assignments are required to be turned in on time unless prior arrangements have been made in advance. You may have the opportunity to redo some assignments, if they are turned in on time and will be due one week after being returned to you. You must submit the original work, rubric, the revised work and a brief statement of the improvements you made to the assignment. All assigned work must be typed on a word processor using Times font, 12 points, unjustified and free of typographical, spelling and grammatical errors. Please keep a copy of all work submitted, until the final grade of the course has been determined.
Benchmarks
Below is the point value for each assessment and your grade will be based on the percent of points earned from the total points of 600.
Attendance: (50 Points)
You must be present and actively engaged in all aspects of the course. You need to be prepared and a contributing member in all the learning components of the course. Learning requires dedicated students who will collaborate with one another and are not afraid of taking risk in the process of developing their teachingmethods.
Homework: 50 Points
Homework is never assigned without a purpose, and I hope it doesn’t feel like “busy” work. Each assignment is due at the beginning of class unless otherwise noted. It is critical that these assignments are completed or at least attempted because they will include important ideas we will be covering during class. Also: LATE homework is BETTER than NO homework, but points will be deducted for students who are not prepared at the start of class.
Quizzes: 75 Points
One quiz will be given each week to make sure students understand the important ideas presented in class. The lowest quiz score will be dropped at the end of the course. Quiz dates will be announced at least one class period before they are given.
Blogs: 75 Points
Each student will be required to submit a blog entry to the class blog account each week. Blog entry's must contain at least two links to other resources that can be used during class discussions of course material. Each blog entry will be read and receive a comment, students will then be allowed to make revisions one time for grade adjustments.
Exams: 150 Points
There will be three tests for this course. Each test will be worth 50 points and be a combination of: multiple choice, short answer, true or false, and essay format. There will be a study guide provided for all students, and all three exams will be given after a review session where students will be allowed to ask questions to clear up any concerns they may have. Information on exams will cover all important ideas, themes, concepts, and understandings.
Lab Notebook: 100 Points
Students will be required to keep a separate notebook for lab work. Students will turn in this notebook at the end of every week to be graded, and will be given the opportunity to make corrections. At the end of the unit students will receive a final grade for the lab notebook they collaborated.
Projects: 100 Points
There will be four projects required during this course. The content for each project will be assigned, but student will be able to choose their project type. (i.e. i-movie, slide show, digital story, pod cast) Two of the four assignments must include a presentation to go with the final product.
ALL ASSIGNED WORK WILL BE ACCOMPAINED BY THE PROPER RUBRICto provide clear expectations, AND EXAMPLES WILL BE PRESENTED TO STUDENTS TO HELP STIMULATE CREATVITY.
Teacher: Mr. Lincoln Robinson
Office: Mt. Blue High school - Floor 3
Office Phone: 207-240-6267
Office Hours: T-W-TH 8:00a-2:30p
E-mail: lincoln.robinson@maine.edu
Summary of Unit
E3. Cells
Grade 9-Diploma Cells
Students describe structure and function of cells at the intracellular and molecular level including differentiation to form systems, interactions between cells and their environment, and the impact of cellular processes and changes on individuals.
d. Describe ways in which cells can malfunction and put an organism at risk.
What understandings are desired?
•intracellular functions are similar between different organisms.
•individual cells have a specific responsibility, and how malfunctioning cells are controlled.
What essential questions will be considered?
•What are the components of a cell, and what function do they perform?
•How are cells generated or replaced as needed for functioning at both the cellular and system levels?
What key knowledge and skills will students acquire as a result of this unit?
•Key Factual Information: Translation, transcription, cell cycle, cell theory, mitosis, meiosis.
•Critical Details: Prokaryotic vs. eukaryotic. Positive and negative effects of cell mutation. Plant cells vs. animal cells.
•Make meaning of the hierarchy structure of organisms and how it depends on functioning, beginning at the cellular level.
•Create a project that includes intracellular components, their functions, and how these functions are similar between organisms.
•Analyze the different types of cells.
•Assume the role of the teacher and explain one specific aspect of cellular interaction.
•Realize that cells are the basic units for life.
Role:You're an Oncologist, a doctor who is specialized in the study of tumors and cancer.
Audience:You will be presenting your information to the patient, family members, and medical colleagues present.
Situation:You are presently working at the local hospital in town, a place you have been employed for almost ten years.
Product/Presentation: You will create a power point project that describes your medical game plan to defend against mutating cells.
Standards (criteria from both rubrics):Content, Organization, Preparation, Enthusiasm, Style, Originality, Requirements, Speaks clearly, Time limit.
•Lab Notebook - Students will be required to keep a separate notebook for lab work. Students will turn in this notebook at the end of every week to be graded, and will be given the opportunity to make corrections. At the end of the unit students will receive a final grade for the lab notebook they collaborated.
•Final Exam - A cumulative exam will be given at the end of the unit. This exam will test students on the key ideas of cell theory, cell creation, and cellular interaction to form systems. A review session will be provided to students before this exam.
•Pre and Post survey - A test will be given before the start of the unit to get an idea of the knowledge students are bringing with them from previous courses. This test will not be graded, it will provide the teacher with areas to focus on during the unit. At the completion of the unit, the exact test will be given again to see how much of the targeted content was understood by students. The post test will receive no grade, it will be used for teaching purposes only.
•KWL Chart - Students will be required to complete a "KWL" chart each week. At the start of the week students will state what they think know, and what they want to learn about cells. After the week of classes students will describe what they learned about cells. This will not be graded but used as a self-assessment tool for students.
Expectations
Assignments are required to be turned in on time unless prior arrangements have been made in advance. You may have the opportunity to redo some assignments, if they are turned in on time and will be due one week after being returned to you. You must submit the original work, rubric, the revised work and a brief statement of the improvements you made to the assignment. All assigned work must be typed on a word processor using Times font, 12 points, unjustified and free of typographical, spelling and grammatical errors. Please keep a copy of all work submitted, until the final grade of the course has been determined.
Benchmarks
Attendance: (50 Points)
You must be present and actively engaged in all aspects of the course. You need to be prepared and a contributing member in all the learning components of the course. Learning requires dedicated students who will collaborate with one another and are not afraid of taking risk in the process of developing their teaching methods.
Homework: 50 Points
Homework is never assigned without a purpose, and I hope it doesn’t feel like “busy” work. Each assignment is due at the beginning of class unless otherwise noted. It is critical that these assignments are completed or at least attempted because they will include important ideas we will be covering during class. Also: LATE homework is BETTER than NO homework, but points will be deducted for students who are not prepared at the start of class.
Quizzes: 75 Points
One quiz will be given each week to make sure students understand the important ideas presented in class. The lowest quiz score will be dropped at the end of the course. Quiz dates will be announced at least one class period before they are given.
Blogs: 75 Points
Each student will be required to submit a blog entry to the class blog account each week. Blog entry's must contain at least two links to other resources that can be used during class discussions of course material. Each blog entry will be read and receive a comment, students will then be allowed to make revisions one time for grade adjustments.
Exams: 150 Points
There will be three tests for this course. Each test will be worth 50 points and be a combination of: multiple choice, short answer, true or false, and essay format. There will be a study guide provided for all students, and all three exams will be given after a review session where students will be allowed to ask questions to clear up any concerns they may have. Information on exams will cover all important ideas, themes, concepts, and understandings.
Lab Notebook: 100 Points
Students will be required to keep a separate notebook for lab work. Students will turn in this notebook at the end of every week to be graded, and will be given the opportunity to make corrections. At the end of the unit students will receive a final grade for the lab notebook they collaborated.
Projects: 100 Points
There will be four projects required during this course. The content for each project will be assigned, but student will be able to choose their project type. (i.e. i-movie, slide show, digital story, pod cast) Two of the four assignments must include a presentation to go with the final product.
ALL ASSIGNED WORK WILL BE ACCOMPAINED BY THE PROPER RUBRIC to provide clear expectations, AND EXAMPLES WILL BE PRESENTED TO STUDENTS TO HELP STIMULATE CREATVITY.
Grading Scale